1SAMBAYAN flags timing of cases vs Ombudsman nominee Remulla; tells JBC to choose based on merit
At A Glance
- 1SAMBAYAN is calling on the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) to resist political pressure and interference in the selection of the next Ombudsman.
DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla (Facebook)
1SAMBAYAN is calling on the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) to resist political pressure and interference in the selection of the next Ombudsman.
This, after 1SAMBAYAN questioned over the weekend the timing of the recent legal complaints against Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla--a top contender for the post.
“The timing and nature of these cases against Secretary Remulla raise serious concerns that they are intended to unduly influence the JBC's deliberations and potentially disqualify a prospective nominee based on political considerations rather than merit,” said the political coalition founded by former Supreme Court (SC) Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio.
Warning that such tactics could undermine the JBC’s independence, 1SAMBAYAN stressed, “Allowing politically motivated legal challenges to influence this process would be a disservice to the Constitution and the Filipino people.”
Remulla, 64, has been justice secretary since June 30, 2022. A seasoned lawmaker, he formerly held the positions of senior deputy majority leader and deputy speaker for luzon in the House of Representatives.
The coalition urged the JBC to uphold its duty to evaluate candidates based solely on merit, experience, and ethical standing.
“1SAMBAYAN believes the JBC must resolutely uphold its independence and resist any attempts to politicize the selection process; it must evaluate all candidates for Ombudsman based on their merits and qualifications,” it said.
“The integrity of the Ombudsman selection process, and the credibility of the JBC itself, are at stake. The JBC must send a clear message that it will not be swayed by politically motivated tactics and will prioritize the selection of the most qualified and impartial candidate for Ombudsman," the group added.